Summer’s here, which means backyard barbecues, a dash through the sprinkler, stargazing on a warm night and other outdoor activities that are impossible to enjoy during the winter months in Mount Pleasant.
While all that sunshine brightens our spirits and amps up the fun factor, it poses a danger to hearing aids.
Hot Weather Can Be Harmful
Hearing aids are sophisticated instruments that help restore the quality of life to millions of Americans.
Nine out of ten people with hearing loss in Mount Pleasant can benefit from wearing them.
But during the summertime, heat and humidity can wreak havoc with our hearing aids if we aren’t careful.
Protect your investment and keep your hearing aids safe by following these tips when the weather heats up:
- Don’t expose hearing aids to the sun. Yes, we want you to wear your hearing aids when you’re out and about. But direct sun exposure can melt the plastic casing and cause the internal components to short-circuit. Take precautions by wearing a wide-brimmed hat and, if removing them from your ears, place them in a protective case in the shade.
- Keep hearing aids out of the heat, too. We’ve all heard warnings about how warm the interior of a car can get with the windows rolled up, which is why we are instructed never to leave kids and dogs inside. The same applies to hearing aids: tossing them in the glove compartment is a bad idea when the interior of your vehicle heats up to 120 degrees or more, as it can do within a matter of minutes during the summer. If you aren’t going to be wearing them for a bit, keep them in your pocket (in a protective case, of course). Heat can damage your aids and negatively affect battery performance.
- Avoid exposure to moisture. Heat and sunlight aren’t the only types of weather that can damage your hearing aids during the summertime. If moisture gets inside, they can short-circuit and stop working. If you are going to be taking a dip in the pool or splashing around in the surf, remove your hearing aids and store them in a protective case away from the water. Caught in a sudden downpour? Use an umbrella or remove them for a few minutes to keep them dry. Humidity is dangerous, too; a dehumidifier will help remove excess moisture when you aren’t wearing them.
- Be wary of chemicals. Chemicals found in many products you’ll use in the summer months, including sunscreen, mosquito spray and hair spray, can damage your hearing aids if coming into contact with them. Remove them from your ears prior to applying any lotions or sprays and be sure to wipe them off with a clean, dry cloth as an extra measure of precaution.
Want more tips on protecting your hearing aids during the summer (or any other time of the year)? Your Mount Pleasant audiologist is happy to help!
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Our Charleston Area Audiologists Office Locations
Mount Pleasant
180 Wingo Way, Suite 103
Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 459-8965
North Mount Pleasant
3510 N Hwy 17, Suite 135
Mt Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 459-8965
James Island
537 Folly Road
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 459-8965